New SMMUSD President, Vice President Elected

Monday, 9 Jan 2012, 7:20:00 AM

Mirror Staff

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education elected Ben Allen as its President and Laurie Lieberman as its Vice President at its regular meeting on Dec. 15, 2011. Both Allen and Lieberman were elected unanimously by their peers.

“It's an honor to have this opportunity to serve my community,” said Allen. “We have challenges ahead as we work to improve educational outcomes and steer the district through these tough financial times, but we have a strong school system, tremendous community support, and an excellent new superintendent, and together I know that we’ll emerge stronger.”

Lieberman agreed with Allen’s sentiments, saying she was grateful to her school board colleagues for “placing their trust in me to help lead our District.”

“Each year brings a new set of challenges and opportunities for our schools," Lieberman said."I look forward to working collaboratively with all of the school District’s constituencies, and with our wonderful new superintendent, as we continue to improve the educational experience and outcomes for all of our students.”

Allen has been a board member since 2008, serving as Vice President last school year.

He is an attorney and SMMUSD alum.

Lieberman has been a board member since 2010; this will be her first time serving as an officer of the board. She is also an attorney and her children attend SMMUSD schools.

Allen and Lieberman will serve in these positions for one year. The Board of Education elects a new President and Vice President every December during its annual organizational meeting.